Nai Harn Beach, known for its crystal waters and beautiful sands, is located at the southern tip of Phuket Island. Embedded between two jungle covered mountains, it boasts some of the best sunsets the island has to offer.

The Samnak Song Buddhist Monastery to the rear of the beach owns most of the beachfront land, meaning that the area remains protected and is therefore largely undeveloped. Nai Harn Beach is the epitome of a calm and tranquil beachside location. Highly favored by locals, it is the extreme opposite in character to Phuket's best known Patong Beach. There are no jet skis, no banana boats or rubber rings and very few touts patrolling the sands. For those in search of more action however, Patong Beach is still just a 20-minute drive away.

At just under one kilometer in length, Nai Harn boasts warm waters year round, with an average temperature of approximately 30 degrees Celsius. The sea is calm throughout the high season, and on the odd days during the monsoon rains when swimming is not advised, the sea provides a different appeal with its dramatic and atmospheric crashing waves. To the side of the beach is The Royal Phuket Yacht Club, which leads through to the little known Ao Sen Bay. Most are totally unaware of the bay's presence, so those who do stumble upon it are usually blessed with a virtually private beach all to themselves.

For a week long period each February, Nai Harn springs to life when the Phang Nga Bay Regatta comes to its shores. The Royal Phuket Yacht Club is the end point for the event, and yachts can be seen racing to the finish line.

Amenities at the beach are plentiful, but there are even more restaurants, shops and spas in Nai Harn Village, which is just a few minutes' drive away.

Local nightlife comes mainly in the form of friendly open-air bars, although a nightclub has recently appeared just outside of the village on the Kata hillside, and is becoming increasingly popular with both locals and foreigners.

For a small village, restaurants are among the best in Phuket, possibly as a result of the large expat community who demand consistently high standards. French, Italian, American, German and of course Thai are just a few of the cuisines on offer.

Whether it be dining out in the evening or popping out for breakfast, the expat community around Nai Harn all seem to know each other. Most mornings, The Breakfast Hut is a hive of activity among the island's residents, and is a great place for tourist tips and getting the lowdown on what to do around the area. The local expats are passionate about the community and will happily share their knowledge with you, often giving advice on how to get the best deals on anything you want to see or do.